When Irama Cecilia, known as Cissy to her friends, boarded a bus from Kampala, Uganda to Nairobi, Kenya five years ago, she thought she was simply pursuing higher education. Today, as she prepares to graduate with a Bachelor of Development Studies and Philosophy, she realizes she is embarking on something much greater; a journey that would shape her worldview, deepen her sense of purpose, and teach her that meaningful development always begins with people.

Cissy’s story began long before she stepped onto campus. Her family already had strong ties to Strathmore, but it was her uncle who encouraged her to apply for a Diploma in International Relations. A conversation she credits with changing the course of her life. “I would never have thought I’d be going to Strathmore. My uncle encouraged me to apply, and I’m forever grateful he did,” she says.

Leaving Uganda came with excitement and uncertainty. While she expected a different culture, it was the little things that surprised her most. Kenya’s cashless economy fascinated her, and she quickly embraced the famous Siwaka “smocha,” introduced to her by friends who welcomed her almost immediately.

Her university journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing her diploma classes online. Although virtual learning strengthened her digital skills, she missed the interaction of physical classrooms. “Physical classes are much better because you get the human connection. But we persevered because that’s what the season demanded,” she says.

After completing her diploma, Cissy expected to continue pursuing International Relations. Instead, an internship in Uganda Women’s Network(UWONET) completely transformed her career aspirations. For the first time, she experienced development beyond theory and saw communities working to create lasting change. “Development has a human face; it’s not just politics or economics. It’s about people realizing they have the power to change their own communities,” says Cissy.

That experience inspired her to pursue a Bachelor’s in Development Studies and Philosophy, a combination she describes as life-changing. While development studies taught her how societies grow, philosophy challenged her to understand humans more deeply. “Development is a human process. Before communities can grow, people have to understand their own humanity,” she explains.

Strathmore’s academic reputation attracted her, but the opportunities exceeded her expectations, especially a student exchange programme at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Initially, she almost ignored the application because she feared it would interrupt her studies. “I told myself, ‘Let me just apply. You never know what could happen,’” she recalls.

That decision became one of the defining moments of her university experience. Finland was her first destination outside Africa, exposing her to snow, temperatures of -16 degrees, and an entirely different culture. Supported by Erasmus Mundus funding, and later joined by her classmate Martha Karanja, Cissy embraced every new experience. One evening, after boarding the wrong train, she found herself stranded in unfamiliar streets covered in snow. What began as a frightening moment became a lesson in kindness after a stranger patiently helped her find her way home.

Back at Strathmore, learning extended beyond the classroom. During her bachelor’s programme, Cissy joined the SDG Hub, eventually leading initiatives on gender equity, good health and reduced inequalities. During the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, she organized conversations on online gender-based violence, creating awareness around cyberbullying, doxing and digital safety. “It was eye-opening to see the different ways violence manifests and how we can be part of the solution,” she reflects.

Perhaps the greatest transformation happened within her. Looking back at the young woman who first arrived at Strathmore, Cissy smiles. “The Cissy graduating today is completely different from the one who joined SU so many years ago. Philosophy has taught me to look inward. It has helped me to understand myself before I can understand the world,” she says.

That personal growth continues to guide her as she navigates life after university. Though job hunting has not been easy, she approaches every opportunity with confidence. “When I walk into an interview, I know I’m ready,” she says.

Her ambitions extend even further. As she builds her portfolio for a master’s degree in Urban Planning, Cissy dreams of designing cities that are safer and more inclusive for women. Inspired by research on gender financing and the challenges facing women’s rights organizations in Uganda, she believes Africa must increasingly develop home-grown solutions. “Every door that closes is an opportunity to think differently about our own development,” she says.

Throughout her journey, she found strength in the people around her. Her family; Jane Ocaya, Irama, her mother,  and Rita Aciro Lakor, her aunt, for the love and supporting her throughout academic her journey.  She fondly remembers classmates Michelle Salama, Bridget Munguti and Barbara Chelang’at as sisters who navigated through every challenge together. She is equally grateful to the lecturers who made a small class feel like family, especially Steven Gituku and Anne Rose Ndehi from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. They helped her settle and adapt in Finland, making her experience seamless. “They gave us #personalizedattention and shaped us into who we are today,” she says.

Graduating also carries special meaning. Beyond earning a degree and making the Dean’s List, it represents years of perseverance, growth and countless lessons learned. “It’s a huge milestone. I’m so happy and grateful for this journey,” she says.

If there is one lesson she hopes current and future students take away, it is to embrace every opportunity the university offers. “Learning is not just to pass exams. Be curious. Build your community. Put yourself out there. Those experiences become part of who you are,” she says .

As she leaves Strathmore, Cissy does so with gratitude for her family, friends, lecturers and every unexpected turn that shaped her path. From a young woman leaving Uganda with uncertainty to a graduate whose journey took her as far as Finland and inspired a lifelong commitment to human-centred development, her story is proof that education is about far more than earning a qualification.

“Every hardship and every celebration adds up to who you are today. Treat yourself kindly and fall in love with the journey,” Cecilia closes.

Article written by Nekesa Teresa